Iran Reporter (Contractor)

Iran Reporter (Contractor)

Location MENA

Position Number 1878

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Job Announcement

Iran Reporter (Contractor)

About MBN

Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) is the premier Arabic-first media organization that connects the Middle East and the United States. The company is in the midst of an exciting digital transformation and looking for energetic and talented people who care about journalism and the Middle East to join us on this journey.

We provide original and indispensable reporting, perspectives and commentary on the Middle East and how America's engagement impacts the region. MBN delivers content in both Arabic and English across multiple platforms, in formats including written articles, short-form video, newsletters, podcasts, data trackers and social media.

Our target audience is decision-makers, influencers, and residents of key capitals across the Middle East, as well as the next generation of globally engaged, digitally connected youth.

About the Role

The Iran Reporter produces independent, source-driven multimedia journalism on a contractor/per-piece basis. Working under the editorial direction of the Iran Editor, regional editors and digital assignment desks, the reporter pitches, researches, reports, writes, shoots, and edits stories examining Iran's regional influence, foreign relations, nuclear diplomacy, and domestic political, economic, and social developments.

The role combines original reporting, interviews, digital verification, and multimedia storytelling. Coverage includes Iran's regional security activities, relations with the United States and neighboring countries, sanctions and energy markets, cost-of-living pressures, civil society, and developments affecting communities across the Middle East. Reporting methods and location will reflect access, operational requirements, and contributor and source safety.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following tasks are considered essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:

• Pitch, research, report, shoot, write, and edit original multimedia stories, digital video packages, and analytical explainers for MBN platforms.
• Cover Iran's regional security activities, nuclear diplomacy, foreign policy, and relations with the United States, Arab countries, and other international partners.
• Report on significant domestic political, economic, and social developments, including sanctions, energy, living conditions, civil society, and their regional implications.
• Produce enterprise journalism that explains complex developments through independent reporting and diverse, credible sources.
• Build and maintain a network of political, diplomatic, security, economic, academic, and civil-society contacts, including relevant diaspora sources.
• Gather interviews, reporting, and visual material through field or remote methods, using appropriate production tools and secure communication practices.
• Verify Persian-language reporting, official statements, social media content, and other source material, clearly distinguishing confirmed information from unverified claims.
• Contribute reporting, analysis, translated material, and supporting content to newsletters, podcasts, and other editorial products while meeting deadlines and MBN standards for accuracy, balance, verification, and independence.

Other Duties:

Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Candidates are required to have:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Political Science, International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least three years of professional multimedia journalism experience, with substantial reporting on Iran for international news organizations or independent digital outlets.
• Proven ability to produce original digital video, analytical explainers, and reported features on complex political, economic, or regional issues.
• Proficiency with mobile journalism tools, smartphone shooting, audio capture, and editing software such as Premiere Pro, CapCut, or Final Cut Pro.
• Strong knowledge of Iranian domestic affairs, regional security, nuclear diplomacy, foreign relations, and economic conditions.
• Fluency in Persian (Farsi) and professional working proficiency in Arabic or English, with the ability to conduct interviews in Persian, write clear scripts, and coordinate with editorial desks.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to deliver breaking-news and enterprise assignments within agreed deadlines.
• Understanding of reporting restrictions, digital verification, source protection, and safety practices relevant to Iran coverage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional proficiency in Persian, Arabic, and English.
• Experience reporting for international public media, wire services, or specialized security and economic publications.
• An established source network across Iranian communities and the diaspora.
• Familiarity with data journalism, open-source research, infographics, maps, and vertical video explainers.
• Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) or equivalent journalism safety training.

MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.

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